Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary Declared a Ramsar Site
Why in the news
A wetland in western Uttar Pradesh gained international recognition on 22 April 2026, raising India’s Ramsar list to 99 sites.
Key facts
- Site: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
- Declared by: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), minister Bhupender Yadav.
- India’s total: 99 Ramsar sites.
- Birds: bar-headed geese, painted storks and ducks use it as a migratory resting site.
| State | Ramsar sites |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 20 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 12 |
State-wise position
The designation covers wetlands protected under the Ramsar Convention. The two states with the most sites are listed below.
Exam angle
- Remember 99 as India’s new Ramsar total.
- State ranking: Tamil Nadu (20), then Uttar Pradesh (12).
- Flyway to know: Central Asian Flyway.
- Ramsar additions are a favourite environment topic; note the district: Aligarh.